Busselton wins 2015 premiership

Three goals in one minute to Busselton captain Dan McGinlay was the catalyst for the Magpies to win the South West Football League premiership, defeating Carey Park by 47 points at Hands Oval today.

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In front of a massive crowd at the home of South West football, the Magpies turned it on after half-time to overrun the Panthers, winning 15.13 (103) to 7.14 (56).

McGinlay was handed two goals after kicking his first of the game early in the fourth quarter, when ill-discipline by the Panthers’ backline gave him two set shots without the ball even being bounced in the centre.

Those three goals extended the Magpies lead to 40 points and put Carey Park out of the game, highlighting a disappointing day for the Panthers.

The Panthers never got their run going in the grand final and the frustration became clear, with three yellow cards throughout the game and a number of 50m penalties costing John Baggetta’s men.

The game started in fast fashion, with Busselton forward Brent Snook booting two of his three goals in the opening minutes, but at the end of the quarter the score was back to square after Carey Park gained momentum from a sensational goal by veteran Arron Hill.

The second remained a fast affair, but the Panthers were unable to kick straight, while the Magpies were spurred on by the performances of experienced ruckman Brent Hall and the speedy Luke Hutchins.

Hutchins kicked two goals in the quarter to ignite the Magpies, who were running in numbers and linking up well with handball from half-back.

The Panthers were not without their say in the game though, with veteran wingman Viv Blurton and Kieran King both putting on excellent performances.

Both King and Blurton rued missed opportunities, kicking seven behinds between them throughout the day.

Busselton came out after half-time on a mission and kicked nine goals to just three to storm home for the win.

Graham Jetta was stuck on the bench to start the half because of a yellow card he received on the siren for half-time, giving the Magpies greater ascendency in the clearances.

This allowed Hayward Medallist Chris Kane and Jackson Arbon to dominate around the centre, with both midfielders sending the ball forward on a number of occasions.

When McGinlay was gifted two of his trifecta of goals to begin the final quarter, thanks to a number of incidents deep in the Panthers’ backline, the game’s momentum had fully swung the Magpies way and they never let it go.

Hill kicked two late goals, but when Hutchins and Hall put through majors late in the game it was all over.

Hall was fittingly awarded the Pike Medal as the best on ground, having dominated in the ruck as well as kicking two goals.

In a fitting end to coach Greg Hodson’s career, the Magpies capped of their excellent year with the premiership.

In the reserves, the Eaton Boomers defeated Carey Park 15.11 (101) to 14.12 (96).

While in the colts it was Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault defeated Augusta-Margaret River 14.5 (89) to 4.14 (38).